Early voting expansion, same-day registration approved

Maryland is poised to join a growing number of states that allow voters to register and vote on the same day as lawmakers today endorsed plans to expand early voting.

The Senate passed Gov. Martin O'Malley's bill, sending the measure to his desk for his expected signature.

Early voting would be expanded from six to eight days and the hours extended, moves intended to alleviate the long lines seen during last year's election season.

More voting centers would be added, and lawmakers created a $5,000 fine for illegally registering to vote, allowed for residents to apply to register to vote online and called for a host of studies on the voting system.